K-Statement

RICE RE-APPPOINTED TO USDA AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE

Chuck Rice, a K-State professor of agronomy, was recently reappointed to serve a second two-year term as a member of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force.

The role of the task force is to advise the U.S. agriculture secretary on issues related to agricultural air quality, including the most cost-effective ways for the agriculture industry to improve air quality.

"The 2008-2010 task force will tackle diverse air quality issues such as greenhouse gas mitigation, the reduction of certain pollutants, ozone and ammonia emissions, and the enhancement of opportunities for environmental trading markets for agriculture," Rice said. "These are all issues of increasing concern to the general public in Kansas and elsewhere."

Most recently, Rice has been investigating soil and global climate change and soil carbon sequestration and its potential benefits to the ecosystem. His research has been supported by more than $15 million in federal and other grants.

Rice also served on the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to author a report on climate change and was among scientists recognized when that work won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

NOTEWORTHY

Frederick Burrack led "Integrating Technology in School Music Teaching," for the music teachers in the Montgomery County Schools, Nov. 4, Radford, Va.

On Campus - Nov. - Dec.

Nov. 20K-State historical
society program3 p.m., Hemisphere Room, Hale Library. Ralph Titus, professor emeritus of extension communications will present "Kenneth Davis: A Novelist Trapped in History." The event recognizes the donation of the Davis papers and library to the Morse department of special collections. A reception will follow in the gallery where an exhibit on Davis, a 1934 K-State alum, is on display

Nov. 20-23
Theater: 'Noises off'
"Noises Off" has been hailed by critics as one of the funniest plays of the last 30 years. 7:30 p.m., McCain Auditorium. Call 532-6428 for tickets.

The best in the nation

Wired Magazine calls him "the explainer." His classes are so popular students submit applications to enroll. Now Kansas State University's Michael Wesch adds another honor to a long list: He is the winner of the national professor of the year award for research and doctoral universities from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Read more

Educational excellence

Kansas State University is a national leader in the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education competition for Professor of the Year. Read more

UP CLOSE

Words of wisdom

"American Idol" may seem like an unlikely source of wisdom for an anthropology professor who helps his students explore cultures from around the globe. But a story that Michael Wesch's wife, Sarah, told him about one of the show's contestants helped the assistant professor overcome nervousness about teaching his first class at K-State. Read more

PLAUDITS

IMAN AWARDS ANNOUNCED BY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

A K-State scientist who obtained several patents in nanotechnology and a veteran professor of Spanish were recently recognized as Iman Award recipients in a ceremony at the K-State Alumni Center.

Kenneth J. Klabunde, university distinguished professor of chemistry, received the 2008-09 Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Research. The award recognizes full-time K-State faculty members who are distinguished in their profession and whose research has significantly contributed to the educational experience or their area of study.

Douglas K. Benson, a professor in the department of modern languages, received the 2008-09 Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching. This award honors a full-time K-State faculty member for high-quality instruction, developing strong relationships with students and for having a reputation for scholarship and distinguished service to the university.

These awards were made possible by a gift from Ron and Rae Iman of Albuquerque, N.M. The recipients will divide $10,000 between them.

DEGROAT NAMED PRESIDENT OF LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

K-State's director of military affairs, Art DeGroat, was recently elected to a two-year term as president of the Fort Riley-Central Kansas Chapter of the Association of the United States Army.

The association is a private, non-profit educational organization that supports America's Army - active, National Guard, reserve, civilians, retirees and family members. It has 125 chapters located worldwide. Made up entirely of volunteers, they provide recreational and educational opportunities to soldiers and their families and support our deployed soldiers and families left behind.

CLINICAL SCIENCES GIVES MENTORING AWARDS

The department of clinical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine recently recognized three faculty members for their commitment to mentoring residents and faculty.

The Award for Excellence in Resident Mentoring went to Emily Klocke, while the Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring was shared by Mike Apley and Lisa Freeman.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize senior faculty members who have demonstrated a commitment to the professional growth of junior faculty and residents. Each will receive a certificate and $1,000.

PICTURE PERFECT

Measuring success

Whether you need candid shots for departmental publications, or a professional head shot, contact university photographer David Mayes at 785-532-6304 or photo@k-state.edu

OH, BY THE WAY

WHERE TO GO FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPUS CLOSINGS BECAUSE OF WEATHER

When questionable weather arises this winter, the best place to go for information about whether campus is closed is your local radio.

Cox Cable channel 21 will also carry an announcement, as will Topeka TV -- though because their coverage area is broader than just our immediate region it may take a while for the information you're seeking to scroll across the screen. K-State's home page -- www/k-state.edu -- will also be updated with the most recent information.

This summer, full-time classified employees gained more time off, thanks to a resolution passed by the Kansas Board of Regents.

In fiscal year 2009, full-time classified employees with 10-15 years service will now earn 6.7 hours per pay period instead of 5.6 hours of vacation leave. Per year, that amounts to another 3.6 days of paid vacation.

In fiscal year 2010, a similar change will take effect for employees with 5-10 years of service. They'll start earning 5.5 hours of vacation per pay period, up from 4.7. That amounts to 2.6 days more paid vacation a year.

"A lot of employees will see some benefit," said Jennyfer Owensby, president of K-State's Classified Senate. "Full-time classified staff at K-State now earn more leave than other classified state employees."

Full-time classified employees can also now accrue up to 304 hours a year, the same as unclassified employees.

MASTER OF AGRIBUSINESS FEATURED ON JEOPARDY!

K-State and its award-winning master of agribusiness program recently earned a place as part of pop culture trivia.

The program, which is the first graduate agribusiness degree in the nation to be offered through distance education, was an $800 question on the Oct. 13 "Jeopardy!" game show. And at least one of the game show's contestants knew the answer.

The question, which in the "Jeopardy!" format is actually the answer, was: "If you're a slick, pressed-overalls Manhattan M.A.B., you have a master of agribusiness degree from here, K-State for short." M.A.B. is the acronym for the master of agribusiness program.

And, well, you know the answer -- and, as long as you put it in the form of question, host Alex Trebek would have said you are correct.